The NFL has released the inactive list for today:

Detroit: Matthew Stafford QB, Don Muhlbach LS, Brian Witherspoon CB, Roy Schuening OG, Melvin Fowler C, Turk McBride DE, Corey Hilliard OT, Andre Fluellen DT

Arizona: Brian St. Pierre QB, Neil Rackers K, Reggie Walker LB, Will Davis LB, Herman Johnson G, Mike Gandy T, Stephen Spach TE, Jerheme Urban WR

After reading the Lions list, I have only one thing to say. Who in the Hell are these guys? Schuening, Witherspoon, Fowler and Hilliard are all waiver wire, injury replacement pickups from the past 3 weeks. Another pickup from this week, Nathan Hodel, will long snap in place of the concussed Muhlbach. I don't have a good feeling about this...

At the Freep, Nick Cotsonika reminds us of the last time the Lions played the Cards. It's not a pleasant memory.

The Lions have won only three of their past 37 games. This sorry stretch began, coincidentally, with their last game against the Cardinals, a 31-21 loss in the desert Nov. 11, 2007. Remember how they set a modern NFL record with minus-18 rushing yards? That began the end of Mike Martz's era as the offensive coordinator.

I remember that game. One word. Eww.

Looking back at the game, I found this photo The Daily Fungo's Mike McClary sent me back in those heady days of 2007.

Amazing, isn't it?

Stream of the game is available at azsportz.blogspot.com

No Sam Rosen, it's Chris Meyers instead? Eh, 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

Lions will start with the ball, Culpepper is your QB, Maurice Morris is the halfback. All the outrage I can muster is a "meh".

Manny Ramirez is nailed for a false start, on FOX Tim Ryan blames the hard count. Isn't Manny SUPPOSED to know the damn snap count, hard or not? Christ.

The Lions convert one 1st down, but the drive peters out on 3rd and long, as Culpepper...throws short.About 7

You know, I really hate the Lions.

The Cards start inside their own 15. Nick Harris FTW. One of the few Lions I can get away with saying "FTW!"

3rd and long, Warner nearly throws the INT as one of the CBs the Lions recently picked up, Kevin Hobbs, just misses a pick 6.

And Phillip Buchanon misplays the Cards punt, losing a good 15 yards by not fielding it cleanly.

I just LOVE Kwan's special teams...

Yep, these are my Lions. How I hate them so.

3rd and long for the Lions, Megatron converts a tipped pass into a 1st down.  So far, the Lions are catching a few breaks.

Tim Ryan on Culpepper: "He looks great." So much for Ryan's credibility.

The Lions' 2nd drive ends on a 3rd down offensive interference call on Calvin Johnson. Not that it made much difference, as Culpepper's pass wasn't even close to being completed. The pass was WELL behind Megaron.

Harris is going to earn his money today.

Another stream:  http://atdhe.net/8683/watch-arizona-cardinals-vs-detroit-lions Excellent quality! Thank you to the commenter known as Harry Colon!

Beanie Wells takes over for the Cards, as a couple of runs move the ball into Lions' territory.

I had to step away from the PC for a few. Good thing, as the Cards drive ends on a TD pass from Warner to Fitzgerald. It was tipped by the Lions' CB...but he fell and Fitzgerald didn't.

What can I say, other than...

Rageguy is exactly what the Lions turn me into every Sunday

7-0 Cardinals. Here we go...

The Lions take over, and on 3rd and long...Culpepper BADLY underthrows a wide open Megatron. PICKED, returned to the Lions' 49. Why is Culpepper playing again? WHY?

On to the 2nd quarter. Kill me now.

Note from Al: As I'm sure you know, the game is blacked out in SE MI. If you'd like to try and catch the game online, the place to start is MyP2P.eu, and go to their week 15 streaming thread in the forums. They usually have several different options to try. As the Cardinals are going to be a playoff team, there's a fair amount of interest, and the game should be relatively easy to find...knock on wood.

As always, you can check here at TWFE, as I'll post the URL of whatever feed I end up using. If you run into a good quality stream, feel free to leave it in the comments.

I'm planning on doing my normal running diary, though it's anybody's guess if I do all 4 quarters, I came thisGoddamnclose to shutting down the diary at the half last week. I was thoroughly disgusted with the play of the Lions, and was sick and tired of being sick and tired. But I hung in there, God knows why.

This Sunday, let's hope for, at the very least, an entertaining game. But I have a feeling there is no hope. Not this season, anyway.

As I've written before, the off season can't get here soon enough. I'm much more interested in what Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew have planned for free agency and the draft, than watching this motly collection of (mostly) never-gonna-be's play out the string.

Kickoff: Sunday, December 13, 1 p.m. ET

Stadium: Ford Field, Detroit

Television: FOX (Blacked out in SE MI)

Play-By-Play: Sam Rosen

Color: Tim Ryan

Lions Radio Network: 97.1 FM The Ticket (WXYT-FM)

Play-By-Play: Dan Miller

Color: Jim Brandstatter

Sidelines: Tony Ortiz

2009 Records: Cardinals, 8-5 - Lions, 2-11

Last meeting: 11/11/07, Cardinals 35 - Lions 21

Series: Lions 31 - Cardinals 23 - 5 Ties

Line: Cardinals -14, over/under 47

Semi-interesting factoids:

Straight from Lions PR: Safety Louis Delmas, the Lions’ second-round selection in 2009 NFL Draft, has proven himself as one of the top rookie defensive players in the league this year. He is a hard hitting safety who has made big plays throughout the season. His 71 tackles rank second on the team, and he ranks first among rookie defensive backs with 74 tackles (including 3 special teams tackles) according to NFL.com rankings. His other defensive tallies include: one interception, six passes defensed, one sack, one fumble recovery and three special teams tackles. Delmas is the only rookie in NFL history to record a safety (vs. GB 11/26), an interception (at Sea 11/8) and return a fumble for a touchdown (at NO 9/13) in the same season.

Straight from Cardinals PR: Maybe Kurt Warner should just be considered the ace of the staff. Football is much different than baseball, and the quarterback isn’t working every fifth day like a pitcher. But like a star hurler who is known for being able to stop a losing streak, Warner has responded in the same way this season. In the games following the Cards’ first four losses this season, Warner has been spectacular, completing 94 of 128 passes for 1,091 yards, 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions. That equates to a mind-boggling passing rating of 130.0 and, of course, the Cards have won each of the four follow-ups. Chance number 5 comes Sunday in Detroit, after the Cards lost to the 49ers last Monday.

Just the stats, please:

What I'm watching: A better game on another channel. Possibly the utterly awesome Red Zone channel. Maybe even paint dry. Both would be more entertaining than the Lions getting blown out...again.

I honestly don't see the Detroit being competitive against Arizona. The Cardinals are a legitimate playoff contender with a Hall of Fame candidate at quarterback. The Lions may not even  be a legitimate NFL team, and have an overpaid,  overweight, washed up, rag armed backup under center.

Factor in the Cards' defense is in the top half of the league, while the Lions are, once again, dead last in total defense. What you end up with on paper is a massive mismatch.  It'll be one on the field, too.

No need to even play the game, though the NFL insists. That's just how the suits are, the anal SOBs.

Prediction: Kurt Warner has plenty of time to throw, picks the Lions defense apart for 300+ yards and multiple touchdowns, while Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston run wild in the secondary. Daunte Culpepper can't compare...Hell, he can't even throw the ball more than 10 yards.

Cards win going away, 42-10.

Here's the latest from Blane, aka Wolverlion,who took down another Hillbilly Huddle listener to up his record to a barely above mediocre, Wayne Fontes-esque, 7-5-1!

Another early week so my picks were due Thursday morning. Last week I defeated the listener again so I am starting to get a little street cred back. Not sure how much street cred I can earn when their population of my entire country is less that the population of 1 square mile in the greater Detroit area. The show's current goal is to try to get an interview with the God of Lions head coaches himself-------yep------Wayne Fontes. We have not been able to make contact yet, but we are working on it.

The Big Buck? Oh...HELLS YES! Make it happen, sir!

Mr. Fontes is a hard man to line up for an interview. I'm sure Wayne-O is fending off Lions fans who are BEGGING him to return to take over the team. Sad to say, the years the patron saint of this blog was large and in charge in Detroit are considered the glory days of the William Clay Ford era.

OK, on to the caveats and disclaimers!

Remember, the Hillbilly Huddle airs every Friday and Monday between 7 and 8 AM on the blowtorch of SE MI, 97.5 Y-Country radio, WYTZ FM. You hosts are football expert Blane, aka Wolverlion, and 97.5 Y country morning man Wild Bill Lewis.

Every week, Blane asks me to post his WYTZ picks for all to see. I can't help but make my own picks, or at least make smart ass remarks about his selections and the games themselves.

Wolverlion's picks are in bold, while my snarky ass commentary is in italics.

Thursday night

Indy @ Jacksonville: I am tempted to take the Jags here, however, I like the rhetoric coming out of Colts camp this week. Not sure if they will make a real run at 16-0, but it sounds like they are trying to win this week. Besides, how do you pick against a team that is 13-0? As we all know by now, the Colts did win. Of course I would have picked the Colts! I my be a dumb ass blogger, but I'm not stupid...some of the time.

Satuday night

Dallas @ New Orleans: I like the way this game sets up for the Saints. Dallas sucks in December, the Saints are still being pushed by the Vikings, National audience in a stand alone game at home. Take the Saints big. Lesson number one in sports betting: Never take the Cowboys in December. Lesson number two: Never take a Wade Phillips coached team. New Orleans is going kick the Cowboys all over the French Quarter.

Sunday afternoon

New England @ Buffalo: The Bills have been showing signs of life as of late, but the Pats have too much to play for. Take Brady in Buffalo and the snow. The Bills have improved a little since Dick Jauron got the ziggy from Ralph Wilson, but even with the decline of the Pats, they still aren't in their class. As long as Bill Belichick doesn't get too cocky, the Pats should cruise to victory.

Arizona @ Detroit: Geez, do I really have to analyze this one? The Lions are starting a secondary full of guys we have never heard of. The Cardinals are starting WR's Fitzgerald, Boldin, and Breaston. Kurt Warner could have 300 yards by halftime. Cardinals BIG!!!!! did I say BIG? I mean freakin' HUGE!!!!! Don't forget to factor in Matthew Stafford is sitting out due to his separated shoulder, there won't be more than 30K in the stands, all ready to vent their spleens at the first sign of  a Lions' breakdown and the Cards have a chance to clinch the NFC West with a win and the Niners losing in Philly. Detroit will get bent over and violated...again.

Miami @ Tennessee: The Titans have righted the ship. Chad Henne looks like a legitimate pro. This could be a good game, but I will take the Titans simply because they are at home. I agree this should be a good game to watch...not that I'll get to see it, as I'll be trawling the web for screams of the Lions game, which is blacked out here in Detroit.  Such is life as a Lions fan, missing all the good stuff around the NFL in order to see the Lions do their imitation of a pile of Jenga sticks. Oh, the game? Take the Fins, they're on a roll...

Cleveland @ Kansas City: Another week....another crappy matchup. I will take the Chiefs just because. As a fan of another bottom feeding NFL franchise, I shouldn't look down my nose at this game...but I will. Save for the few Chiefs and Browns fans left in this sad world,  no one gives a shit about this matchup, not even degenerate gamblers. But if you are a degenerate gambler who needs his fix, take the home team. The Browns won't win on the road.

Houston @ St. Louis: I am taking the Texans but rooting for the Rams. The Lions could gain a draft spot or two if the Rams, Bucs and Browns get hot....yeah right. Keep saying stuff like "if the Rams, Bucs and Browns get hot" Wolverlion, and I'll be convinced you're taking magic mushrooms. Which leads to the next question...you got any for me? Got to take the Texans, as they are world beaters when there is no pressure to win.

Atlanta @ NY Jets: Sanchez comes back, and the Falcons are really struggling. I will take the Jets in a low scoring affair. Whenever Rex Ryan doesn't cry, the Jets win. As long as Ryan doesn't spew the crocodile tears, take the Jets.

San Francisco @ Philly: Philly really has it going. They won a great game last week over the Giants and now control the NFC East. The Niners have to travel coast to coast on a short week, take the Eagles. Gotta take the Iggles. They can make a statement regarding their taking control of the NFC East, and the Niners, as well as they played against the Cards last Monday, still aren't anything more than mediocre, at best. The Niners aren't going to win on the road.

Chicago @ Baltimore: Cutler will throw 3 more picks and hand this game to the Ravens. You are not still starting this color blind fool on your fantasy team are you Al??? Not a damn chance! As you might guess, the pickings were kinda slim, but as the league semi-finals were coming up (I had finished 1st, so I had a bye week), I had to do SOMETHING. As I really don't need to have much depth, I cut the useless Matt Cassell (who I had picked up earlier in hopes of his unseating Cutler...as if) and the even more useless Lee Evans, and picked up Alex Smith of the Niners and Jason Campbell of the Racist Logos off the waiver wire. Now I have 3 QBs (including Cutler) on my roster, but none of them are standouts. As Campbell has been the hottest as of late, he's my likely starter. Not that any of you give a crap...but he asked! And take the Ravens, they'll chew up and spit out Jay Cutler.

Cincy @ San Diego: The Chargers are looking very strong as of late. I expect them to make a little noise in the playoffs. The Bengals have to take the field with heavy hearts after the tragic death of Chris Henry. I never know how teams will respond after something like this. I guess I will take the Chargers, but I think I will be rooting for the Bengals. I agree. Between the deaths of Chris Henry and Vikki Zimmer, the wife of Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Bengals have been slapped repeatedly in the face by life and their own mortality. You can't help but root for them. The Bolts have been  playing unreal football the past two months, but the Bengals will be playing for Henry. Let's go for the tearful, heart tugging, Hollywood ending, and say the Bengals win on a last second touchdown catch by Chad OchoCinco.

Oakland @ Denver: The Raiders lost Brad Gradkowski to injury, so Jamarcus Russell comes back right????? WRONG....Raiders are starting Charlie Frickin' Frye...Really? He is still in the league???? Take the Broncos. Charlie Fry? If Jamarus Russell can't get the starting nod over the never-gonna-be Fry, he should immediately retire on general principal. Russell should be embarrassed, and start packing his bags. He's done in Oakland.

Green Bay @ Pittsburgh: I am taking the Steelers simply because I expect them to make a late, futile charge at the end. Wont be shocked if the Packers knock them off though. The Pack are playing really damn well, winners of 5 straight. The Steelers have been on an ugly 5 week downward spiral. Going by Bob Wojnowski's infamous "up-down theory", as the Steelers are due, overdue, in fact, and at home to boot, and the Packers are overdue for a stinker of a performance, you should take Pittsburgh. So I will.

Tampa Bay @ Seattle: Seahawks get another win at home to further hurt their draft status. The Bucs aren't going to win on the road. Period.

Sunday night

Minny @ Carolina: I expect the Vikings to keep the heat on the Saints in the NFC. Take Favre and the Vikings on the road. The Panthers are going to be without Jake Delhomme again, so they actually have a chance! But the Vikings have too many weapons, despite Brett Favre's stats trending down as the season enters the final weeks. Vikes win, but it's closer than anticipated.

Monday night

NY. Giants @ Washington: My wife went to bed disappointed last Sunday night. No, not becuase of her reduced expectations in her husband......but because her boy toy Eli took it on the chin from the Eagles. I hope Eli gives her reason to celebrate Monday night with a win over the Skins. Take the Giants. The Giants can't stop anyone, and I NEED a big game from my FF starting QB, the 'Skins Jason Campbell. Take the Racist Logos in a wild affair, as Wolverlion's wife hits the sack disappointed for the 2nd week in a row, dreaming little dreams of Eli.

If you follow Detroit Tigers baseball at all on the web, then you are likely familiar with Bless You Boys, the highly trafficked Tigers blog my friend Ian Casselberry has been running (quite entertainingly,I might add) for the past 3 years or so.

Earlier this month, Ian surprised the Detroit blogosphere when he announced was stepping down from BYB in order to take on other endeavors. At the same time we were told another blogger I consider a friend, Kurt Mensching of Mack Avenue Tigers, was taking over as point man/head blogger/managing editor of BYB.

Today, Kurt announced the rest of his editorial team, which includes your truly as deputy editor. Yes, I'm going to try and spread myself even thinner by covering the Tigers at BYB. (If you've lost count, you can find my posts here at TWFE, every Monday afternoon at Mlive's It's Just Sports blog, now at Bless you Boys, and of course, I talk sports for 2 hours every Monday at 9PM with Greg Eno on The Knee Jerks podcast)

Why the additional work? I just plain miss writing about the Tigers.

This blog remains my first priority, and I'll still spend the majority of my time covering the Lions. (Yes, I'm a masochist) But 4 years ago, when TWFE began life as a general Detroit sports blog, I used to write about baseball quite often. Almost every day of the season, in fact. But as TWFE morphed over the years into strictly a Detroit Lions blog, it's no longer a proper forum for my baseball thoughts. I've been told by readers, Kurt being one of them, they miss my Tigers ranting. I miss it too.

So it didn't take me long to take up Kurt on his offer, as the Tigers are my other sports passion. (The Lions and Tigers are 1A and 1B) As he can't spend every waking hour in front of his PC, Kurt wanted to make sure BYB was covered when he wasn't available. Which is where I come in.  I'll be covering breaking news at BYB, as my schedule allows me to be online when the rest of you are toiling 9-5, along with the freedom to post commentary and opinion pieces.

Nice work if you can get it...

Even with the additional responsibilities at BYB, IJS and TKJ, nothing will change here at TWFE. I'll still bitch and moan daily about the Lions and NFL. My life wouldn't be complete without complaining about the lastest blow out at Ford Field. \

All that Lions bile is what keeps the creative juices flowing...

We all knew the cries for Drew Stanton to start over Daunte Culpepper was nothing more than tilting at windmills...but you can't fault fans for trying.

Per The Schwartz, via Nick Cotsonika at the Freep:

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz officially has named Daunte Culpepper the starter for Sunday’s game against Arizona.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford missed all week of practice with a left shoulder injury and likely will not play against the Cardinals.

Even though Culpepper has failed to generate a touchdown in his past two starts, Schwartz indicated Monday after a 48-3 loss to Baltimore that Culpepper would remain the No. 2 quarterback behind Stafford and ahead of Drew Stanton.

I can't figure out the Lions' reasoning behind continuing to start Culeppper. If he actually does give the Lions their best chance to win, as the coaching staff parrots every week, then what does it say about Stanton?

It wouldn't be a stretch to believe the staunch support thrown behind Culpepper by the coaching staff says Stanton has shown in practice he doesn't belong in the league. Though I'd like to see with my own eyes just how awful Sparty's finest is supposed to be.

If Stanton is worse than Culpepper, who's shown in 8 starts he's a washed up used-to-be, completely rag-armed as he underthrows open recievers on deep balls, and has led the Lions to all of 3 points in his last 2 games, then the kid isn't good enough to play in the UFL, God forbid the NFL.

We can only hope Stafford will play sometime before the season ends, though I'm not getting my hopes up.

In what's going to be final Lions Congregation roundtable until the season ends in January, there's only 1 question to be answered from the good  Reverend Spielman of The Church of Schwartz. But the answer is going to be a long and involved. one..

1. With the season nearing its conclusion, evaluate each Lions draft pick from 2009 and their future with the team.

Round 1/1: Matthew Stafford (QB): The Lions have nailed a 1st round QB selection for the first time in decades.  Stafford is an elite talent with the biggest arm I've ever seen on a Detroit Lions QB. He still needs to learn the finer parts of NFL quarterbacking, but has almost limitless potential. Stafford has the talent to be one of the NFL elite. Amazingly, the Lions have already become the rookie's team, the unquestioned leader. I just hope the Lions have the coaching staff, and  enough talent ultimately surrounding Stafford, to bring out his best. I'd hate to see Stafford go down as another Archie Manning, a great QB who never lived up to his potential thanks to playing on a series of a God awful teams.

Career Projection: The Lions' starter for the next decade and more, makes multiple pro bowls. It took 52 years,and drafting a kid who went to the same high school, but the Lions finally replaced Bobby Layne.

Round 1/20: Brandon Pettigrew (TE): Pettigrew was really starting to shine as an all around TE when he injured his knee, prematurely ending his season. The youngster has talent to burn, and will only get better as he gains experience. I can easily see him becoming a top 5 player at his position. Pettigrew will be a very good player for a very long time, health permitting.

Career Projection: Becomes the Lions' go-to reciever on 3rd downs and in the rred zone. Multiple pro bowls.

Round 2/33: Louis Delmas (S): Jim Schwartz was quoted earlier this season saying the Lions' defense would be "giving up 50 points a game" if Delmas wasn't in the backfield. Strong words about a rookie safety who still learning the NFL. Still, Delmas has had a solid year, the only rookie in NFL history with a safety, interception and score off fumble recovery in the same season. Delmas is only going to get better, and be an impact defender within a few seasons.

Career Projection: Stalwart member of the Lions defense for the better part of a decade, future pro bowler.

Round 3/76: DeAndre Levy (OLB): The biggest surprise of the the Lions draft. He will be starting for the Lions at either OLB or MLB for the next several seasons. The position he ends up at long-term will depend upon the contract status of Larry Foote. If Foote signs an extension, Levy remains on the outside, possibly making the man he's outplayed, Ernie Sims, trade bait. If Foote moves on, Levy slides into the middle, where he was projected to play originally. The kid has shown a knack for making plays, which is something we haven't seen from any Lions linebacker in quite some time. Levy may end up as the steal of the entire '09 draft.

Career Projection: Long-time Lions starter, pro bowl alternate.

Round 3/82: Derrick Williams (WR/KR): The only real bust of this draft. Has shown little as either a WR or a KR. Williams has not been able to break into the WR rotation, despite the issues Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt had with dropped passes. They've had bad seasons, but Williams has been unable to beat them out, which pretty much says it all. Was drafted to shore up special teams, but is not aggressive on returns. Williams had trouble catching punts in the exhibition season, which is pretty much a prerequisite for return men. What kicks he did manage to catch were an adventure, with little positive yardage. Unless there's some sort of miracle resurgence in training camp next year, Williams will get to meet the Turk.

Career Projection: Cut in 2010 training camp, out of the league after 2 seasons.

Round 4/115: Sammie Lee Hill (DT): Remains a raw work in progress, but has already exceeded expectations in his rookie year. I doubt anyone expected the small college player to get much playing time, let alone become a starter. Hill will never be a star, but a middle plugging run stuffer the size of an earth mover will always have a role in the NFL.

Career Projection: Run stuffing role player, part of Detroit's defensive line rotation for several seasons.

Round 6/192: Aaron Brown (RB): Brown is another rookie with raw skills, the only Lions RB with anything resembling breakaway speed. His athletic ability forces the Lions to give him playing time in the backfield and on kick returns. But he then get sent back to the bench after blowing an assignment or making a dumb football play. Brown's lacking in both size and football IQ will keep him from becoming anything more than a change of pace/3rd down back. Being he was a 6th round selection, any production the Lions get from Brown remains an unexpected plus.

Career Projection: Sticks around for a 2-3 seasons as a change of pace back till the Lions develop more depth in the backfield.

Round 7/235: Zack Follett (OLB): Will likely never play a down as a linebacker. But Follett is a special teams coverage demon. He had the hit of the year, and made every NFL highlight reel, when he destroyed the Rams' Danny Amendola on a kickoff return. I cringe just thinking about the hit. If Follett can continue to make plays special teams, he'll have a long and productive career as a coverage specialist.

Career Projection: Has a productive Lions career as a special teams scud missile, may even make a pro bowl as a specialist.

Round 7/255: Dan Gronkowski (TE): Late 7th round pick who showed enough in limited exhibition game playing time to make the Lions' practice squad out of camp. Gronkowski was brought up to the 53 man roster after the injury to Pettigrew, but didn't play, and was cut this week. If Gronkowski is going to find a way to remain in the NFL, he needs to earn his way on special teams.

Career Projection: Training camp roster fodder.

To see what the rest of the Detroit Lions' blogosphere has to say, the good reverend will have all of the congregation's answers posted to The Church of Schwartz on Friday night.

This week's meme in the Detroit media has been "Let's trade Calvin Johnson because the Lions suck!"

Seriously? Yes, seriously.

The ringleader was Drew Sharp at the Freep and WDFN, then Terry Foster of the News and WXYT followed suit, agreeing wholeheartedly with Sharp

Sharp's dull take:

Calvin Johnson is worth more in draft picks than he is in the lineup.

Trade him.

Send him to a team confident that they're a big-play receiver away from a championship and get in return a bounty of early-round draft picks that could help the Lions address their No. 1 problem -- a cavernous void of talent.

One star doesn't matter on a team this wretched.

Foster got the memo too:

The Lions can sit around and try to figure out how to use Johnson or they can use Johnson to bring in two or three players to fill positions of need. Johnson is that kind of player. He is big and strong. He is talented but Johnson has just been an above average receiver with the Lions because opponents do not fear anyone else on the roster.

Apparently, stupid is as stupid does. But not to be outdone, Foster decides to top Foster, by using his 20/200 hindsight...

In hindsight maybe the Lions should have traded (Barry) Sanders to fill out their roster. If you cannot win with one of the greatest running backs of all time what chance do they have with a great receiver on a bad team?

The Lions should have traded Sanders, and must trade Johnson? The Detroit News needs to give Foster a drug test, as you'd have to be on several mind altering substances to even suggest something so...how do I say this politely? I can't. It's a fucking moronic suggestion!

"Which one of you ink-stained boneheads wrote trading me is a good idea?"

Either way, I'm guessing Sharp and Foster must have consulted Matt Millen in order to come up with such a asinine idea. Trading your best player, flipping your only All-Pro playmaker for unproven draft picks, sounds exactly like a move the worst general manager in the history of general managing would make.

First off, claiming the Lions would get "multiple draft picks" assumes there are other NFL general managers as cocky to the pont of cluelessness, rich enough to afford an albatross of a contract and just plain dumb as Jerry Jones. He obviously had an odd fetish regarding Roy Williams playing for the Cowboys, and was willing to give up far more than his actual worth to obtain his "precious".

Sharp goes on to say Johnson "should" (Should? He's already hedging his bets in his own damn column),  net a higher return in trade than the inconsistent Williams. Even though he's an elite talent, I doubt the Cowboys scenario would happen again in any transaction involving Megatron. You only get to pull off an outright steal once before the rest of the league catches on.

Remember, it wasn't all that long ago one of the best wide outs in NFL history, Randy Moss, was traded by the Raiders to the Pats for a 4th round selection. I realize Martin Mayhew does has all his faculties, unlike the Raiders' senile Al Davis, so I'm sure he wouldn't give away his best player for a middling draft pick. But it does show that not all teams overvalue players who only touch the ball on average 5-8 times a game, and require a solid quarterback to get them the ball in the first place.

Trading Johnson would leave the Lions with the following number of playmakers: ZERO.

Detroit's roster already has plenty of holes. Actually, gaping maws at several positions would be even more correct. Let's not forget wide receiver is one such position lacking in talent and depth. But they are set at Johnson's wide receiver position, never mind the fact the Lions are paying rookie quarterback Mattew Stafford an obscene amount of money to throw to him.

So taking away one of Stafford's few weapons would help in his development how? Exactly. It won't.

Trading away great players who have yet to reach their prime is never a good idea. Never, ever, ever a good idea.

It's much like a MLB trade when one team receives prospects for proven big leaguers. 999 times out of a 1000, the team getting the proven entity wins the trade. Give me quality over quantity. Greatness over average. The proven over the unknown.

Give me Calvin Johnson over draft picks...and the need to sell newspapers, which is the only reason this silly ass discussion is going on on Detroit.

Trading Megatron makes ABSOLUTELY NO FUCKING SENSE...unless you are a columnist in a dying medium trying to draw attention to yourself and your quaint little newspaper.

Thankfully, the saner, more intelligent football minds at Lions' HQ aren't buying into the columnist spewed bullshit.

Via Nick Cotsonika at Sharp's own paper, the Freep:

“Let’s end that buzz right now,” laughed offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, calling it “completely insane” and saying he “would be pretty depressed if that ever happened.”

“Yeah,” coach Jim Schwartz said, “we’re in the process of trying to acquire good players, not let good players leave. I think that if we’ve learned anything from history, it’s to value talent and not to discard it.”

It bears repeating the best line I've read all week about the Lions, and it shows why I still believe in The Schwartz.

"I think that if we’ve learned anything from history, it's to value talent and not discard it."

God damn straight! Thank fucking God the Lions see through this nonsense.

Can we now consider this moronic case closed?

On Sunday afternoon, Jim Schwartz raged at the assembled press about "accountability" for his team's poor play. On Monday afternoon, a much more composed Jim Schwartz told the beat writers there would be no "sacrificial lambs" regarding the embarrassment in Baltimore.

"I said accountability? Oh, that's very different than what I meant...Never mind."

Yes, there have been a couple of roster moves since Schwartz backed off of his "accountability" rant. But it's your typical rearranging of deck chairs on the Titanic.

Turns out the only real change in the lineup, other than by injury, is rookie Aaron Brown losing his job returning kicks after his "boneheaded play" (Schwartz's words, not mine...I called it "moronic") in the final minute of the first half Sunday. You grab a kickoff that was going out of bounds at the 1 yard line, then run across instead of up the field, only to be tackled at the 4 yard line, being called a bonehead and moron comes with the territory.

Kick returner Brian Witherspoon was claimed off waivers from Jacksonville. Obviously, he'll take over for Brown on returns. Released was veteran fullback Terrelle Smith, who was a major disappointment after being signed as a free agent before the season. (When you have 7 total yards from scrimmage, being waived comes with the territory). Also picked up was guard Roy Schuening, recently waived by the Raiders.

When you are picking up the scraps from, of all teams, the Oakland Raiders, you got big problems.

So changes to the roster have been made, though much of the deck chair rearranging was forced due to the season ending injuries to Kevin Smith and Casey Fitzsimmons. But it's just window dressing, as we'll see essentially the same lineup this Sunday against Arizona.

If Schwartz really wanted to make a point, throw the fans who consider what he said Sunday just so much Bobby Ross style bluster a bone, there was one change he could had made.

If Matthew Stafford can't go (and from all accounts, he won't), Schwartz should bench Daunte Culpepper, and start Drew Stanton. That would show there's more than just bark to Schwartz's bite.

It would also kill two birds with one football.

One, it would take care of the "accountability" issue, as Culpepper has shown he has nothing to offer an NFL team as a backup or starter. He has yet to win a start with Detroit, and I can't fathom Culpepper ever winning a game in a Lions uniform. If you are going to make a change, quarterback is the most visible place to start.

Two, it would allow the Lions to, once and for all, determine if Drew Stanton has something to offer an NFL team...period. Play the kid, let him sink or swim. Stanton might surprise everyone. If he doesn't, at least the Lions will know they'll need to pick up more than just one backup quarterback in the coming off season.

It's not as if Schwartz would have to give a hard sell to his roster regarding a change at backup quarterback. They aren't blind (though you might argue they are going by some of their clueless actions on the field). The players know Stafford is a clear number one, and as number two, Culpepper's career spirals further down the drain every time he plays, and he's taking the team with him.

Unfortunately, Schwartz isn't thinking about next year, or his next backup quarterback when Culpepper leaves Detroit. He's only looking as far as this coming weekend. And for whatever reason, Schwartz won't even look towards Drew Stanton.

Accountability, my ass.

Sure, we knew Kevin Smith going on injured reserve was fait accompli. Destroying your knee tends to get you placed on the IR 100 times out of 100. But in a surprising development, tight end Casey Fitzsimmons is also done  for the season, joining Smith on the IR.

Tumbling dice? No, dominoes falling!

Killer Kowalski has the details at Mlive, and they aren't pretty:

The move with Smith was expected because he'll soon have surgery on a torn ligament in his left knee. FitzSimmons suffered a concussion two weeks ago and missed the Ravens game.

The Lions signed free agent tight end Michael Matthews to replace FitzSimmons and they promoted Cedric Peerman from the practice squad to replace Smith at running back.

Here's the IR as seen on the Lions' site late Tuesday night, though it's yet to be updated with the names of Smith and Fitzsimmons.

With tonight's additions, the Lions' IR currently has 6 players who were either expected to or were starting at the time of their injury (Smith, Bullocks, DeVries, Peterman, Pettigrew and Simpson), and 2 more (Fitzsimmons and Manuel) who were getting a considerable amount of playing time. I don't even want to go into the Lions losing a pair of corners for the season on consecutive plays, or losing one of their best defensive linemen before the season started.

I realize the Lions suck, and are already lacking plenty in the talent department, but this is ridiculous! It's like asking someone who showed up to a gun fight with a knife, to give up the knife!

Be they good, bad or the Lions, no team should have to deal with such an rash of injuries. Placing 16, count 'em, 16, players on IR is a epidemic of epic proportions.

Once again, it's typical Lions luck. All bad.

There's 3 games left in the NFL season, and as a Lions fan, it's 3 games too many. Hell, it's 16 games too many.  But it's Tuesday night, and the power rankings wait for no blogger. It's once again time for my NFL power rankings, done for the network-wide Bloguin Blogpoll NFL Power Rankings.

Disclaimer time! Please remember, I'm just a dumb ass blogger who's totally making it up, and only gets to see 3 -ish games at most every Sunday (and one of those is always, bad as it is for my delicate psyche, the Lions). These power rankings are done strictly by the seat of my pants, and only the seat of my pants.

The watched game count for week 14: Rough estimate of 2.5. The Thursday night/Satruday night (as of week 15)/Sunday all day/Sunday night/Monday night schedule does make it easier to get a game or two other than the Lions. But from here on out, the Monday night game will have to take a back seat to my podcast, as The Knee Jerks now fire up at 9PM.

With weekend viewing and voting caveats out of the way, I urge you to please take my NFL power rankings with a grain of salt and a huge amount of incredulity. A HUGE AMOUNT!

1. New Orleans Saints: The Saints will have to decide what's more important, keeping alive a shot of an undefeated season, or resting banged up players in anticipation of the playoffs. This past week the winning streak won out, as New Orleans held on against an undermanned Falcons team.
   
2. Indianapolis Colts: Beat Denver to clinch home field throughout the AFC playoffs. As for 16-0, owner Robert Irsay said, "the biggest focus is going to be on being prepared for that first playoffs game." I'm not going to rag on Baltimore's public enemy number one for calling it a "playoffs game", but the owner has set the tone. The Colts are more focused on the big prize.
3. San Diego Chargers: Winners of 8 straight and counting, the Bolts are the hottest team in the NFL. In honor of their latest accomplishment, beating the Cowboys, the Chargers are giving head coach Norv Turner a contract extension. I hope they aren't being too rash, I mean, it's Norv Turner, for chrissakes!
   
4. Minnesota Vikings: Beat the Bengals by a surprisingly easy 30-10 score, in workman-like fashion. When the worst news of the week in Minny is having a roster filling, rarely active, backup linebacker suspended for taking...wait for it...PEDs, things are going pretty damn well.
5. Green Bay Packers: In any other season, the Packers would be hoping for a playoff bye week. But with the Vikings playing lights out ball, and having all but clinched the NFC Central, the Pack, who manhandled the Bears in Chicago this past Sunday, will have to settle for hosting a wild card game.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Took control of the NFC East by beating the Giants in a wild, high scoring affair. DeSean Jackson is having a Devin Hester-like breakout season on kick returns. In averaging 104 receiving YPG over the past month, Jackson is playing even better as a WR, unlike Hester, who's a middling WR,and no longer a game breaking return man.
7. Cincinnati Bengals: Carson Palmer had 94 yards passing in a loss to the Vikings. 94 yards was what he would put up in 15 minutes a couple of years ago. Palmer claims his arm is fine, but the stats tell different story.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Had a chance to clinch the division on Monday night. Instead, Kurt Warner and company stunk out the joint in San Francisco, losing 24-9. The loss didn't affect the Cards playoff chances, as they are still a lock to win the west. But 'Zona played like they weren't deserving of a playoff spot against the Niners, committing 7 turnovers. 
   
9. New England Patriots: Beat a bad Carolina team to hold on to their AFC East lead. The bigger story is MIA Randy Moss, who has all but given up on the season over his past 3 games. When Tom Brady has to target Wes Welker 20 times a game, it means Bill Belichick has a big problem on his hands. A highly paid, 6'4" problem.
10. Denver Broncos: Brandon Marshall set an NFL record with 21 receptions in a loss to the Colts. I'm sure Marshall would give up the record for a win. Who am I kidding? Marshall's a diva wide out, he'll take the record!
11. Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco had one of the worst games of his career 2 weeks ago. He had one of the best of his career in a blowout win this past Sunday. The difference? Flacco was playing against the Detroit Lions, who make everyone look like an All-Pro.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas kicker Nick Folk has struggled all season, and had another miss in a loss to the Bolts. Wade Phillips said, "We've got to do something." The man's brilliant, huh?
    
13. Miami Dolphins: I'm not sure what's more astounding, the resurrection of Ricky Williams as an impact back, or the fact the Fins, after starting 0-3, still have a very good shot at the wild card at 7-6 overall.
    
14. New York Giants: Instead of sharing 1st place, the Giants fell to 3rd in the NFC East, as their defense waved the white flag against the Eagles in a high scoring loss. After a 5-0 start, and a playoff spot thought to be assured, the 7-6 Giants would now miss the playoffs if they started today.
15. New York Jets: Rex Ryan hasn't cried in 3 weeks, and the Jets have won 3 straight to get back in the wild card hunt. Coincidence? I think not.
    
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: In an effort to turn their season around, as they remain hovering near the .500 mark after losing to Miami 14-10, the Jags cut kick returner Brian Witherspoon. Yep, that's gonna help.
17. Tennessee Titans: After destroying the Rams 47-7, the Titans are 6-1 after their bye week. They'd be a playoff team...if they weren't 0-6 before the bye week. The schedule is 17 weeks long for a reason, guys.
18. San Francisco 49ers: After handily beating the Cardinals Monday night, 49ers team president Jed York gave votes of confidence to coach Mike Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan. Both men immediately put their homes up for sale, and uploaded their resumes to Monster.com.
    
19. Atlanta Falcons: DT Jonathan Babineaux was busted for pot on Thursday, though he did play in the Atlanta loss Sunday. Babineaux admitted to the cops he smoked a marijuana blunt with a friend during a drive on a busy interstate highway. It was not confirmed the friend was Ricky Williams.
    
20. Houston Texans: After a 4 game losing streak all but killed the Texans' playoff chances, they went and beat the Seahawks Sunday. When the pressure's off, the Texans play well. When the pressure's on...well, that's why head coach Gary Kubiak will be looking for another job in January.
    
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Head coach Mike Tomilin promised redemption against Baltimore, to "unleash hell" against Oakland and changes in his lineup against Cleveland. The Steelers lost all 3 games, ending their playoff hopes. I think it's time Tomlin promised to stop making promises.
22. Buffalo Bills: In a game no one watched or cared about, the Bills travelled to Kansas City. I'm told the Bills won, but I'll have to take the NFL's word for it.
    
23. Carolina Panthers: The immortal Matt Moore stepped in at QB for the not-so-immortal Jake Delhomme in a loss to the Pats. Moore completed 50% of his passes, and didn't throw a pick. When compared to Delhomme, Moore's an All-Pro!
    
24. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks lost, but the more important news was the team announcing their alternate jerseys, known in these parts as the lime green atrocities, have been retired after 1 appearance. Yes! There is a God! 
    
25. Chicago Bears: If you're going to fail, you might as well fail epically. Thus, Jay Cutler threw his 21st and 22nd INTs of the season while losing to Green Bay.
26. Oakland Raiders: Everybody can jump off the Bruce Gradowski bandwagon. After having a career day 1 week ago, the Raiders QBs season came to an end as he tore ligaments in both knees. How on earth do you tear up BOTH knees?
27. Washington Redskins: After beating the Raiders, word out of DC is head coach Jim Zorn may not lose his job after all. No, it's not April Fool's Day.
    
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Head coach Todd Haley said after the Chief's latest loss, "There's no doubt we are making progress". You're 3-10 Todd, don't get carried away!
29. Cleveland Browns: It looks as if head coach Eric Mangini will make it through the season without getting fired, thanks to upsetting the Steelers. He shouldn't get too excited, as the Browns are supposedly talking with Mike Holmgren to take over football operations. His 1st operation would be removing the Mangenius.   
    
30. Detroit Lions: After being totally embarrassed in a blowout loss to the Ravens, head coach Jim Schwartz said there would be "accountability" with his players. How many times has Detroit's fanbase heard that before? Well, how many head coaches have the Lions had over the past 50 years? There's your answer.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Head coach Raheem Morris continues to put his foot in his mouth, as he admitted in a radio interview there's times he doesn't enjoy being a head coach. He speaks the truth. When you coach the lowly Bucs, and your record is 1-12, what's to enjoy?
    
32. St. Louis Rams: The Rams were destroyed 47-7 by the Titans. The Rams' starting QB was Keith Null...and void.